Charred Baby Aubergine Toasted Quinoa Salad Recipes

CHARRED BABY AUBERGINE & TOASTED QUINOA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a medium pan of salted water to the boil and add the leeks. Cook for 6-8 mins or until they have a slight bend to them. Drain and set aside.
• Heat a large frying pan over a medium-high heat and tip in the quinoa. Toast for 5-6 mins or until lightly browned. Reduce the heat to low and pour in enough water to cover 1cm above the quinoa. Gently simmer for 15 mins, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has been absorbed.
• Put the aubergines and leeks directly on the barbecue and brush with oil. Cook for 3-4 mins each side until lightly charred and tender. (Alternatively, brush the aubergines with 1 tbsp oil, put in a really hot griddle pan and cook each side for 3 mins or until lightly charred. Transfer to a plate and set aside. Brush the leeks with 1 tbsp oil and cook on either side for 4-5 mins or until charred. Set aside with the aubergines.) Once cool, cut the leeks in half lengthways.
• Combine 3 tbsp of the olive oil with the cider vinegar and half the herbs. Season to taste. Toss the quinoa with the dressing and spoon onto a large plate. Top with the charred aubergines and leeks, and sprinkle over the tomatoes, hazelnuts and cheese. Finish with the reserved herbs and a good glug of the remaining olive oil.

QUICKIE QUINOA SALAD

Steps:

• Soak the quinoa in water for 15 minutes, then drain. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine quinoa and about 1 1/2 cups of water. Bring to a full boil. Cover the pot, and let the quinoa cook for another minute. Turn the heat down to very low and cook for 15 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and let it sit for 5 minutes with the lid on. Uncover the quinoa and fluff gently with a fork. Set aside to cool.
• Meanwhile, put the chopped cucumber, cilantro, toasted pine nuts and the olive oil in a serving bowl. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, then add the quinoa and toss. Eat and enjoy!

CHARRED ROMAINE GREEK SALAD WITH QUINOA-CRUSTED FETA

Steps:

• For the vinaigrette:
• 1. In a medium bowl, stir together the olives, herbs, onion, vinegar, and oil. Set aside.
• For the feta:
• 2. Spread the quinoa flour out on a large plate. Beat the egg white in a small bowl. Combine the quinoa with the oregano and red pepper flakes and spread it out on a second large plate. Coat each slice of feta with quinoa flour, dip it in the egg white, and then coat it in the quinoa mixture, pressing down to adhere. Add enough oil to a large skillet to reach 1/2 inch/1.25 centimeters up the sides of the skillet. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Cook the feta until the quinoa is crisp and the cheese looks melted, about 2 minutes per side. With tongs or a spatula, carefully transfer the feta onto a cutting board. Cut each slice crosswise into roughly 1 inch/2.5-centimeter pieces.
• For the salad:
• 3. Adjust an oven rack to the uppermost position and set the broiler to high (don't adjust the rack if you have a broiler drawer). Remove and discard any of the lettuce's outermost leaves that are damaged. Cut each head in half lengthwise. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with foil. Arrange the lettuce halves, cut side up, on the baking sheets. Season them with salt and pepper and drizzle them with olive oil. Turn them cut side down.
• 4. Broil one of the baking sheets of lettuce until it begins to char, 1 to 3 minutes. Remove it from the oven, turn the lettuce halves cut side up, and broil until charred, 1 to 3 minutes longer. Set the baking sheet on a cooling rack and repeat with the second tray.
• 5. Divide the lettuce among 8 plates. Top each lettuce half with a 1/4 cup of quinoa, roasted tomatoes, and cucumber slices. Stir the vinaigrette to recombine it and spoon some over each salad. Top with the feta and serve with pepperoncini and lemon wedges.

TOASTED QUINOA SALAD

Steps:

• Rinse quinoa and drain (as you would with rice). Place in small saucepan with 1½-2 cups of water.
• Bring to the boil, cover, reduce heat to low and simmer (12-15 minutes) until tender and all water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork and let cool.
• Mix carrot, capsicum, parsley, coriander and Spanish onion in large bowl. Add cold quinoa and toss to combine. Whisk together citrus juice, tamari, ginger, garlic and chili. Pour over salad and combine well.